CSP International™ Charities of Choice

Supporting charities and paying it forward to organizations related to real estate and training.

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care” John C Maxwell

If you knew the ‘behind the scenes’ personal chapters of my journey from single mum to my current success as the Founder and President of CSP International™ Staging Business Training Academy could read like any rags to riches novel.

Some of the difficulties and challenges that unfortunately plague many people including having to create financial security, working in sales/business during extremely difficult time, losing a lucrative senior management job at a crucial age in life(50) then trying careers that just didn’t work out, – a definite advocate for the “Me Too” movement, all before taking control of my own destiny. I can honestly say the journey wasn’t easy. But it was worth it in the end.

Now I can give back by “paying it forward”, I chose to support charities related to the field we work in: Real estate and training.

Each of these not-for-profit organizations was chosen because of not only their commitment to their respective causes but how they relate to my life experiences too.

CSP® Team at Habitat for Humanity Build in Toronto

Habitat for Humanity, Women to Women International, Kiva, One Drop Foundation, David Sheldrick Foundation, One Tree Planted and Marketers for Good.

Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We chose Habitat for Humanity first because all graduates could participate where ever they live and to whatever degree they are comfortable with. CSP®s are staging properties every day around the world. To make a difference in local communities is awe-inspiring. www.habitat.org/

Women to Women International: With more than 20 years of on-the-ground experience working with women in countries affected by conflict, Women for Women International understands that a comprehensive program addressing the social and economic empowerment of marginalized women is the most effective approach.

It also reflects my journey of self-empowerment through community… to empower other women around the world to live their dreams makes my heart sing. www.womenforwomen.org/

Kiva for much the same reason; helping people build their own financial freedom. Kiva – envisions a world where all people hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others.

KIVA make it so easy for everyone to help with small one-time donations which are repaid and reinvested to help entrepreneurially spirited people across the globe to build a life. www.kiva.org/

One Drop Foundation has inspired change in the world, saving the lives of children who are dying without adequate drinking water. Every eight seconds, a child dies for lack of drinking water.

The children are our future and, as a mother, grandmother and now a great grandmother I am committed to help save them. www.onedrop.org/

ONE TREE PLANTED help businesses become greener and increase their corporate social responsibility. The Million Tree Challenge is to have 500 businesses involved to plant 2000 trees a year to help with the reforestation of California.

Marketers for Good represents the new way that marketing and business minds can create powerful change for good in the world. And I’m honored to be a part of that by donating all profits from my books.

Keep reading to learn more about CSP®s Charities of Choice. To learn more about Christine Rae, read her bio.

Habitat for Humanity

Campaign involved since: 2007Description: Habitat for Humanity has helped hundreds of families move into their dream home, years before Ty and the gang came onto the scene.

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in Americus Georgia. The program developed from the concept of “partnership housing” where those in need of adequate shelter work side by side with volunteers from all walks of life.

In 1984 Habitat’s most famous volunteer, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, along with his wife, Rosalyn, participated in their first Habitat build project. Their involvement in Habitat brought increased visibility and international recognition to the program.

Habitat for Humanity now spans the globe with 90 offices worldwide and has placed over 225,000 families into safe new homes. With emphasis on the environment Habitat for Humanity has adopted Energy Star and Solar power concepts. www.habitat.org

CSP Goal: Spread awareness, raise money and encourage members to make a difference everyday within their own staging businesses.

Why did CSP Choose to Pay it Forward: CSPs are in people’s homes every day. During the process of everyday work, they have opportunities to help Habitat through educating home sellers and buyers of what Habitat does to make a difference.

By giving and buying from Habitat Re-Stores during staging projects and pledging through the CSP® Habitat program CSP® Members can connect and make a difference within their own local community.

How can you help? Donate, volunteer your time and talents, be an advocate!

Women to Women International

Campaign: Involved since 2010

Description: Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. They are changing the world one woman at a time. www.womenforwomen.org

CSP Goal: Along with sponsoring our participate and helping her to learn new skills, CSP’s goal is to also educate and encourage others to help other women around the world to impower themselves.

Why did CSP Choose to Pay it Forward? CSP International™ itself is the dream of one women, and every day the CSP International™ Academy is an education provider for people following their own passion’s in the home staging industry.

“Greater economic and educational opportunity for a woman means her daughters are more likely to go to school, her babies are more likely to survive infancy, and her family is more likely to eat nutritious meals”. Womenforwomen.org

How can you help? Volunteer, shop online, run for Conga Women, and most important sponsor a woman today!

One Drop Foundation

Campaigner since: 2010

Description: ONE DROP™ believes that water access is a fundamental right. The interdependence of nature and humans means water issues are everyone’s issue. Without water, there is no life on Earth.

Water sustains our daily lives, however its distribution and accessibility is not equal around the world. It is therefore our responsibility as human beings to ensure that water is made accessible to everyone, in sufficient quantity and quality, today and tomorrow.

How ONE DROP works One Drop’s capacity to back local partners around the world is measured by the invaluable drops of support from people like you who have chosen to mobilize.

ONE DROP-inspired by the creativity of Cirque du Soleil and its longstanding commitment to community involvement-uses circus, visual and multimedia arts along with folklore, popular theatre, music and dance to encourage change in communities.

In addition to raising awareness of water-related issues by entertaining and educating, ONE DROP works side by side with local partners to improve living conditions of disadvantaged communities through access and responsible use of natural resources, especially water.

ONE DROP™ focuses its efforts on two spectrums: 1.Developing countries facing urgent water access problems; 2.Developed countries that have the means to share the wealth, where per-capita water consumption is very high. www.onedrop.org

CSP Goal: To educate and donate as often as they can…

Why did CSP Choose to Pay it Forward? “Every eight seconds, a child dies for lack of drinking water. Isn’t that sufficient reason to take action?” asks Guy Laliberte of One Drop…CSP Agreed!

How can you help? Donate, volunteer, be an advocate!

Marketers For Good

Founded: July, 2011

Description: Drawing upon the expertise of the top international marketing minds of our time, Marketers For Good (MFG) is a not for profit organization dedicated to creating unique launch campaigns to raise money and awareness for charitable causes. Utilizing cutting edge marketing strategies, MFG brings together top marketing and business minds in order to encourage and lift up those in need.

The culmination of a brainstorm between Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer, and public relations expert Bill Harrison, Marketers For Good began with a simple question about how the two could tap their networks in order to help others and give back. Drawing upon their vast network of marketing experts, the two set out, along with a few friends, to create viral campaigns that raise awareness and money for great causes.

Marketers For Good is constantly seeking new supporters who are interested in giving back and using their ability to raise money for important causes.

Description: Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.

Why we do what we do: We envision a world where all people – even in the most remote areas of the globe – hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others.

We believe providing safe, affordable access to capital to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families.

How we do it: Making a loan on Kiva is so simple that you may not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes.

Kiva works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. One hundred percent of your loan is sent to these microfinance institutions, which we call Field Partners, who administer the loans in the field.

Kiva relies on a worldwide network of over 450 volunteers who work with our Field Partners, edit and translate borrower stories, and ensure the smooth operation of countless other Kiva programs.

How KIVA is funded: 100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes directly towards funding loans; Kiva does not take a cut. Furthermore, Kiva does not charge interest to our Field Partners, who administer the loans.

Kiva is primarily funded through the support of lenders making optional donations. We also raise funds through grants, corporate sponsors, and foundations.

We are incredibly thankful for the support that has enabled us to do the work that has touched the lives of so many people.

Is Staging Certification Necessary?

The home staging industry is unregulated and there is no “governing and regulating association”. Don’t let this alarm or dissuade you from pursing your dream. The Home Inspection industry is non- regulated also, in fact many industries are rooted in non-regulation. What it means is simply anyone can say they are a stager and anyone can provide a training course, online or in person………….. without ever having staged a home! Shocking isn’t it? We believe as a new business staring out you need as much ammunition and information as possible to position you as an expert instead of a newbie. Certification for a stager is as vital as a license is to a real estate agent.

Recent Posts

CSP Staging Magazine

HIGH PRAISE

I don’t know where to start. It was a fantastic class; it was such a pleasure to meet Christine and Lynelle…It was a lot of information in 3 days! I am happy and thrilled that I took this class – Thanks to everbody for their help!!

Mira B.

Yesterday I was listening to and reviewing some of the information from the “FastTrack Business Package”, it occurred to me how much thought went into putting this package together. I felt I needed to say Thank You to you and your Team. All the information taught in the class and provided in this package has given me the confidence I need to start this new chapter in my life.

Cynthia Delve

The first house I staged sold over asking last night!! Put on the market at $339K and sold 9 days later for 400K! The happiness I feel is so indescribable!! I just want to thank you so much for BEING CHRISTINE RAE! I don’t think I could ever have done this without your guidance and amazing program! CAN’T WAIT FOR MORE PROJECTS! The real estate agent wants to work with me too !! WOOHOO!